Stylejam set for ‘Vacation’

Naoki's shingle has much to offer

CANNES — Ken Naoki, former prexy of Japan’s Artist Film, returns to Cannes with his new shingle Stylejam, a string of arty dramas and a pair of sexy acquisitions.

Inhouse production slate is headed by “Sad Vacation,” helmed by two-time Cannes competitor Shinji Aoyama. Drama about people on the run from their past has a stellar cast headed by arthouse superstar Tadanobu Asano, with Aoi Miyazaki and Joe Odagiri; it shoots from the fall.

Odagiri also stars in “Pavillion Salamandre” , a suspenser about four sisters, the death of an actress and attempts to identify a mythological animal. Pic, which boasts a jazz-heavy score, is the helming debut of acclaimed artist Masanori Tominaga. Production is by Stylejam and Tokyo Theatres. Company has international sales rights to both pics.

Stylejam is also an investor and co-producer on “You the Living,” the long-in-the works project of enigmatic Swedish helmer Roy Andersson. Sales and production are headed by France’s the Coproduction Office. Under his Artist Film banner, Naoki previously distributed Andersson’s “Songs From the Second Floor” and “A Swedish Love Story.”

Company is also looking for international production partners on its part-financed remake of buddy cop movie “Yudan Taiteki” (aka “Off Guard”). Based on real events, pic is to be helmed by Izuru Narushima and stars Koji Yakusho (“Babel,” “Memoirs of a Geisha’.)

Under Naoki, Stylejam is also stepping up its distribution activities and recently acquired music film “Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out,” by Stewart Copeland, and psychological horror film “Moscow Zero” with Vincent Gallo and Val Kilmer.